Today’s TDA Tip: Carry!

Exurban League makes a great case for carrying. Head over there for a larger view!

Also, you may have seen this on the TDA Twitter feed:
More Than A Dozen Shot In Chicago Overnight

‘Nuff said?

Technorati Tags: Crime statistics,Chicago,shootings

Reader Poll: Best Ever American Police Vehicle?

My attendance at the during my attendance at the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association conference this weekend,  there was a police car competition. Some of my buddies won for their motorcycles (not cars, I know), and that got me to thinking. What is the best American cop car ever?

AskMen.com has a pretty good rundown of the Top 10: International Police Cruisers, which is a relatively current top 10 list of police vehicles internationally. Included is are some exotics, like the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (their #1), and the Porsche 911 (#2), but only one production American car, the Ford Mustang GT. I don’t really count the Carbon E7 because it’s not a production car (see our popular post on the Carbon here). I think all of them are nice, but they seem to have primarily emphasized pursuit speed and handling, and their criterion is probably different than an American police executive’s ideas on the same subject.

So this post will emphasize the historical best here in America, almost in the same way we would ask, “What was the best football team in history?” Or, “What is the best boat design in history for ocean travel?” The reason I use those examples is that a police vehicle has a purpose. It’s not a race car, or a passenger car, or a pickup truck, or a battering ram, but it has to do all of those things. The reason we didn’t just use the fastest American production cars for police vehicles on a regular basis is that they can’t do everything well, just go fast.

So, to start, let me say that I’m not a police officer, nor am I a former police officer, though I work in the law enforcement equipment industry. I actually drive a Hemi-powered Dodge Charger police vehicle almost every day, and drove many other police vehicles in my former employ as a civilian at a municipal department. My point is that, though I am around them almost every day, I am not an expert in police work, nor police cars as a user. So I’ll approach this from a research perspective, and try to gather enough information so that I can help us form a good opinion, and those who drive a particular car as officers can then comment or email to call me names! Sound good?

OK, so what are our criterion to judge excellence in a cop car?

1. Performance: It’s gotta be a good deal faster than most civilian cars, acceleration, braking, handling, and top speed have to be respectable, but not the  best on the road.
2. Cabin space: Our car has to carry lots of cop stuff. Let’s see, what do cops have to carry (besides people, which is it’s own criterion)? Guns, lots of guns. Sorry, I was remembering that scene in the Matrix. I digress. Most cars now carry a long gun, typically an AR-15 or some type of pump shotgun.  A big duty bag with lots of stuff, like ticket books, report forms, accident forms, small writing pads, a digital still camera, and stuff. Ah, can’t leave without the XM or Sirius radio, or iPod. And now we have lots of standard equipment like lights (lots), cameras, computers, moving radar units, radios, printers, and even automated license plate readers. Anything I forgot? And don’t say donuts, though it may be true!
3. Driver room: room enough for the big guys to work the streets. I’ve worked with officers that are almost six foot eight, and seen many over 300 pounds, and quite a few that were closer to five foot tall than six. In other words it has to hold the big ‘uns and small ‘uns. And it has to be comfortable enough and roomy enough for the officer, all the gear on his belt, all while not putting him (or her) in the hospital for back pain after a few 12-hour shifts. And still be able to see out of the car so as not to hit things, if possible.
4. Passenger room: We mean in the back. The front passenger seat is the desk drawer for a cop. It holds that big duty bag and anything else that should be in quick reach. We mean behind the driver, usually in a “cage” of either bars, mesh, or plexiglass to keep the bad guys and good guys apart. This is not as critical as you’d think. For some reason the officers' I’ve spoken to don’t care as much about passenger comfort as you’d think. Huh? Not sure why.
5. Cargo room: Last, but not least, room for lots of junk in the trunk. Let’s see, we need some flares, usually a box. Slim jim for opening locked doors. Cones for local PDs to block off streets. Caution tape. Gloves for keeping bodily fluids off your hands, and needles from poking you. Uuuuuuh, how about some rain gear? Yup. A broom to sweep glass off the road. Sometime there’s even a spare tire, but not usually. Lemeseeanthingelse? Probably, but I’ll rely on you guys to tell me what I forgot.
6. Miscellaneous: How’s the air conditioning or heat? Easiest to get in and out of? Best glove box? Other stuff not covered?

Who are the contenders?

I think they must be a car that is commonly used as a police car. For that reason I’ll exclude things that you may have seen, like Mustangs, Corvettes, Camaros, and the like. Those are either a one-off stealth traffic enforcement car, or used for education programs like D.A.R.E. So they’re out. We’re going to judge vehicles which are produced by a manufacturer for police fleet use, including SUVs. Some suggestions:

Chevy Tahoe
Ford Escape
Ford Police Interceptor (Crown Vic)
Dodge Diplomat/Plymouth Gran Fury
Chevy Impala
Chevy Caprice Classic
Chevy Caprice LT1
Ford Fairmont
Dodge Intrepid
Plymouth Volare
Ford Gran Torino
Chevy Citation
Ford Expedition
Ford Explorer
Chevy Lumina
Dodge Monaco
Dodge Charger (2006-2009)

Please vote in the comments: let us know what make, model, year, and why you rate it the best.

 

Technorati Tags: Police car,ford police interceptor,dodge charger

Is the jab utilized in MMA

Blogging and Convocation buddy BBat50 commented on our post Boxing for Self-Defense and MMA (read it):

“I'm not sure that I agree that the jab is forgotten in MMA. Some fighters, say Chuck Liddell, tend to rely on his deadly right on his left hook. But there are many, especially in the lighter weight classes, whose jabbing is constant.”

It was a thoughtful and critical comment, which I should address, and would ask for your input.

As to the point that the jab is neglected or forgotten in MMA:

At that point (2006), my observation was based on most of the major bouts I saw in the couple of years preceding the post's publication.

If we examine the history of MMA in general, and the UFC in particular, it seems to have had trends:
BJJ early on because of Royce's domination of everyone, large or small. Then the sluggers learned to sprawl and were knocking everyone out with the haymaker variety of power punches - little to no jabbing involved. At the time of my posting there seemed to be more of a balance - grappling and groundwork, and ferocious standup, but the striking was not that good. Punches were used to either knock someone out or create a good takedown opportunity, but seemed to involve little good boxing.

Nowadays, there are superb strikers in MMA, including Anderson Silva, my favorite. They can work the ground, sprawl, or strike like a good boxer and muay Thai fighter. GSP is another great example. Is the jab utilized now? Certainly, by the better fighters and journeymen alike.

So, I actually agree now (referring to the use of the jab), but at that time, no.

Now, what do you MMA fans think? Do you see prevalent use of the boxing jab in MMA at this time (2009)?

For more information:

The Jab- building block of boxing
Tips on the jab: More on the jab
John Sculley teaches you boxing basics
The King of Combinations for MMA, Boxing, and Self-Defense
Boxing for Self-Defense and MMA

Technorati Tags: Anderson Silva,Georges St Pierre

On heroes (from my dad)

“In this country, unfortunately, the word hero is used indiscriminately. Even football players and rap artists are described as heroes.

Those who deserve the title heroes, our men and women in uniform, continue to do their duty, to serve this country unsung,unrecognized.”

- Pablo Teodoro, Jr. USA (Ret.)

 

I would include in that all of you veterans and those serving their nation in law enforcement, and fire/rescue. You are my heroes, along with my dad, a Vietnam vet. I was lunching today with two police chiefs who served in the same war and bear the scars of that sacrifice. We should all be thankful.

 

Technorati Tags: Veterans

Thanks to Striking Thoughts

Appreciate the mention by Striking Thoughts blog in his Martial Arts News 7.26.09 post. Check in weekly there for a great collection of news and links. Some interesting knife defense video material there this week, too.

A review of the Kubotan’s effectiveness as a weapon

Is it?

A couple of months ago, as I was proceeding through airport security, I was asked, “is this your bag?” It was, I confirmed, mine. The TSA screener asked me to step aside and called over a supervisor, speaking in hushed tones while glancing over at me. After that brief conversation, the female supervisor approached me and said, “Do you know what this is?” while holding up my keys with a black Kubotan attached.

Immediately, embarrassment and a sense of dread flooded through me as I realized I had made a colossal error in leaving my keys in my bag, and my Kubotan attached to my keys.

“Yes, it’s a Kubotan.” I knew what it was, of course, having taught dozens of self-defense classes to women over the years, and having carried one for decades.

Luckily for me, the supervisor was sympathetic to my plight, and I was not added to the “no-fly” list for my mistake. Seeing the law enforcement logo on the bag in which the “weapon” was carried and her learning of my background probably helped, but it was a close one.

This leads me to the question of whether a small length of wood or plastic is an effective weapon in the first place.

You may recall hearing the news accounts of suspected terror trial runs where the suspects boarded planes and asked for seat belt extensions when they weren’t needed (these guys weren’t overweight). Other rules that allow things like canes and small tools on board exist. And we’ve posted here before about how a small flashlight, pen, or pencil can serve as a dangerous weapon, too.

Mokuren Dojo’s post, Kubotan anecdote, covers part of the answer on flailing with keys attached.

My understanding is that there are several ways to use the Kubotan:

1. General Striking: a hammerfist or ridgehand-type motion with either end of a Kubotan firmly gripped will lead to a very effective striking, with all of the force you can generate compressed into the small surface area of the tip or top of the implement. Effective? Yes. Practical? Very, if you have it in your hand and are already skilled at striking.
2. Targeted striking: If you do have the skill and training to know where to strike, the Kubotan could be a deadly weapon. I can generate enough force to decimate slabs, boards, and have done so to innumerable live opponents, and I know that by compressing that force into specific targets will cause more damage than with my empty hands. I will not mention the points here, but those of you who have a lot of traditional training already know. Consider the Kubotan in those experienced and skilled hands a deadly weapon and use discretion and caution in accordance with that knowledge.
3. Flail: Gripping the Kubotan in your fist with keys on the top (as long as you have a substantial number of keys) can be very effective, in my opinion. To illustrate it, in women’s self-defense seminars and courses I would have someone hold up paper at or above head level, and I would hit it with the Kubotan, easily tearing it at the point of contact. A similar strike with much less power to someone’s face would be very effective to cause an assailant to release his grip, and give you a chance to fight back. Is it a knockout blow? No, unless you have an impractical mass of weight on the end and are a very good striker. Will it distract and create an opening? Yes, and easily.
4. Pressure point manipulation: Application of the unyielding pressure of the hard surface against bone and nerves nerves to gain compliance or submission by an opponent. This is where the Kubotan can shine in demonstration, as you can easily apply much more pressure and gain that compliance with relative ease. It take only a little training to adapt your Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido, and other training to this weapon. This is only for the adept, and not the novice, though.

To sum up, is the Kubotan an effective weapon? Yes, if you have the skill, training, availability of the weapon, and the will to use it. No, if you have minimal training and aren’t aware enough to prepare it in advance.

For more information:

Kubotan anecdote
Q & A: Question about kubotan/fistload
Video: Kubotan as demonstrated by Takayuki Kubota
Traveling while armed
SelfDefenseResource.com
FirstLine of Defense
Kubotan Self-Defense Keychain as a Model

Technorati Tags: Kubotan

Who else should TDA Training be following?

If you’ve read this site for a long time, you know what our focus is: practical martial arts training, combatives, technique and tactics for self-defense, and so on. Please take a look at our blogroll and let me know if you have a recommendation via email or in the comments. I want opinions of readers, or, if you’re the author of a site or blog, feel free to plug it if it’s relevant, and include why you like it.

If it’s not relevant (great shoe sales, travel sites, etc.), then your comments and links will be deleted.

Thanks!

UPDATE: So far, got some pretty good feedback in comments, and I realized that I haven’t give my email: tdatraining at Gmail dot com. Please go ahead and send your recommendations.

UPDATE 2: Have added Jesse Crouch’s The Martial Explorer, a very interesting blog call Fear an Iarthair, and cleaned up the blogroll, considerably. Why did no one tell me they were sorted by the date of addition? I guess when Blogrolling.com came back on line that was a default? Also, I had several links that were dead or redirected, and some that had been added a few times when Blogrolling was down. Cleaned up! A few more to add, then I will consider that done!

Overdue Link: Wim Demeere

Someone I have been following for a while, and meant to link to a while back has been Wim Demeere, a Belgian martial artist who’s been a favorite of several of my favorite bloggers. Check out his blog, Web page, and follow him on Twitter if you must. That is, after you follow me first (http://twitter.com/tdatraining)!

Anyway, read up. You’ll be seeing more links here.

 

Technorati Tags: Wim Demeere

Warriors with Terry Schappert

I miss so much good TV these days!

I am on the way back from Corning, New York (roughly Buffalo area, but south and near the PA border), and just heard great repeat of Andrew Wilkow’s show featuring Terry Schappert, who hosted Warriors on the History Channel (As I said, I miss a lot of good TV, and have to rely on Logan to tell me of the great shows on Discovery and History, and hopefully he saves them on DVR for me!). Anyway, he sounds like a great guy, and I’m going to try to find some episodes online to check out.

Per the radio interview, Schappert’s a Green Beret, a veteran of both the Gulf and Iraq War, and a martial artist who’s also a martial history buff. Lot of martial there, eh? He said that he’s continuing projects with History Channel, but that unfortunately Warriors was not renewed for another season. Anyway, sounds like he was the right man for the job and we wish him luck on future projects.

Anyone have opinions on the Warriors program?

Technorati Tags: Warriors,Terry Schappert,Wilkow

Site Maintenance

I know, hard to believe, but this site isn’t perfect. I am updating a lot of things that have grown stale in my absence. Thanks for your patience. Excuse our dust!

Update: OK, the feed is now up to date. Working on the template now.

Update2: Template is going to take the most work. Planning to change over to our own domain, and probably hosted, so that’s going to wait a little. Working on the Blogroll right now.